Preparing for Your On-Campus Job Search

Academic Advising and Career Center(916) 278-6231 • www.csus.edu/careercenter

PREPARING FOR YOUR ON-CAMPUS JOB SEARCH

Career Center Services

Self-Exploration can help you focus your job search:What are your interests?What classes have you enjoyed?What skills have you enjoyed using most?What are your hobbies?

SELF-EXPLORATION

CreativityPersistenceOrganizational skillsDeterminationPeople skills & Networking Language skillsMotivationCultural awarenessThinking skills and new ideasRisk takingResourcefulnessOvercoming challengesSkills and knowledge from your past

experiences

SPECIAL SKILLS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKPLACE

Organizational Skills Self-confidenceFlexible and adaptableAbility to work with people from

diverse backgroundsStrong work ethicAbility to take initiative Individual and teamwork skillsHonesty/integrityCommunication skillsWork well under pressurePositive attitude

ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS SOUGHT BY EMPLOYERS

Least Effective Job Search Strategies:Using the same resume and cover letter for all positions

Not including a cover letter

Having grammar and punctuation errors on your paperwork

Applying for one campus job at a time

Only applying for positions you find online

Conducting little or no research on the department or position

Wearing casual attire to an interview

Presenting a non-professional demeanor or attitude

Never sending a thank you letter

TIPS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU START YOUR SEARCH

Starting early and being proactive Getting your resumes and cover letters

critiqued Developing a professional phone message Learning and practicing interview skills Wearing professional attire Arriving on time for interviews (10 to 15

minutes early) Being kind and friendly to support staff Making a good first impression by being

well groomed and dressed Acting courteous and professional Following-up with a thank you email


Job Search Strategies that are more effective:

Visit the on-campus employer’s website

Gather information about the company by reviewing the about us, mission statement and goals sections

Familiarize yourself with the services the company offers

Review the job descriptionAsk yourself what experiences,

skills and/or knowledge you have related to this position

RESEARCHING ON-CAMPUS JOBS

Social Networking and Professionalism:According to Careerbuilder.com, two out of five companies used social media to view potential candidates and 43% of those companies decided not to hire someone due to their profile

Consider the privacy settings

Check your profile information for accuracy

Take down inappropriate pictures you (or your friends) have posted

Keep it positive and do not post anything you would not want employers to see


Full time international students in good academic standing may work on campus with International Programs and Global Engagement’s approval.

Minimum GPA: 2.0 Undergraduates / 3.0 Graduates

Hours: 20 Hours / week during semester Unlimited during vacation (Employer

may limit to 40 hours).

WORKING ON CAMPUS

Job Search Strategy #1

Hornet Career ConnectionAcademic Advising and Career Center

(916) 278-6231 • www.csus.edu/careercenter


University EnterprisesHornet Bookstore, Suite 3200

(916) 278-7001 • www.ueijobs.com


Information Resources and Technology

AIRC, Room 2005(916) 278-7337

www.csus.edu/irt/studentemployment


University Library(916) 278-6708 www.library.csus.edu


Housing and Residential Life

(916) 278-6655 www.csus.edu/housing


Services for Students with Disabilities

(916) 278-6955 www.csus.edu/sswd


Orientation Office(916) 278-7841 www.csus.edu/orientation


Academic Department Offices

www.csus.edu/academics


Campus Eaterieswww.dining.csus.edu


Children’s Center(916) 278-6216 www.asi.csus.edu


Associated Students, Inc.www.asi.csus.edu


The Well(916) 278-WELL www.thewell.csus.edu


Peak Adventures(916) 278-6321 www.peakadventures.org


University Transportationand Parking Services

(916) 278-PARK www.csus.edu/aba/utaps


Academic Advising and Career Center

(916) 278-6231 www.csus.edu/careercenter

HOW TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION

Make a good first impression Research your route, planning to be in the parking lot 30 minutes

early walk-in 15 minutes early, be friendly to the receptionist and avoid

using your phone

Keep your answers brief and concise Prepare for commonly asked questions, including only details

related to the position Limit your answers to two or three minutes

Prepare five or more success stories Be specific Create Situation, Task, Action, and Result answers (STAR method)

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

Repeat your key strengths three times Think about how these skills will benefit the employer’s goal

Research the program or department Visit their website, looking at the mission statement, goals, and

about us sections

Ask questions This demonstrates your preparation Avoid asking about salary or benefits

Maintain a conversational flow Be responsive, but let the interviewer lead


Represent yourself and your ideas consciously Dress professionally and be aware of non-verbal cues

Keep an interview journal Write a summary (what would you do differently?) and note follow -

up actions

Make a good final impression Shake the recruiter’s hand and thank them for their time Follow up with a thank you note within 24 hours


Professional Dress for Student Jobs…

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

Academic Advising and Career CenterLassen Hall, Room 1013(916) 278-6231• www.csus.edu/careercenter Career Center website Career Center Handbook Walk-in services

• Resume and cover letter writing• Interview preparation

ECS Career Services Office, CiCi Matiuzzi Riverside Hall, Room 2008

(916) 278-7091• www.career.ecs.csus.edu

Documents

Preparing for Your On-Campus Job Search